The Return of the Namgoong Clan's Granddaughter-Chapter 51

Namgoong Cheonghae was stepping into the training grounds.

“...”

Yu Gang lowered his sword and clasped his fists in salute.

“Father!”

Namgoong Soryong ran up, his face full of frustration, but Cheonghae shouted him down.

“I told you to learn the sword from Mount Hua’s young instructor, and yet I hear shouting echoing across the grounds!”

“That’s not it! That bastard used our sparring match as an excuse to mock me!”

“Silence! Shut that mouth!”

Startled, Soryong froze mid-step.

“Your voice was so loud, your foolish words could be heard beyond the training yard! How dare you spout such nonsense to someone who is the foundation of the martial world!”

“That—That’s not what I meant...!”

“I never taught you to behave this way!”

Leaving Soryong behind, Namgoong Cheonghae turned and respectfully clasped his fists toward Yu Gang.

“I apologize on my son’s behalf. Please forgive his rudeness.”

Yu Gang returned the gesture and replied,

“Not at all. It’s because my instruction was lacking that the sparring turned out poorly.”

If Yu Gang was at fault, it was for not controlling his strength properly.

The first clash of their swords had gone awry because his thoughts had drifted to the Namgoong young lady he’d met the night before. The second and third strikes...

“I didn’t think he’d be unable to handle even that much.”

He’d mistaken Soryong’s loud and boastful attitude as a sign of real skill.

He should have taken into account that the boy was only thirteen.

“It was partly my mistake as well. Please don’t ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) scold him too harshly.”

“That’s right! That bastard kept knocking my sword away over and over again!”

In a spar that isn’t meant to decide victory or defeat, knocking away your opponent’s sword or rendering them unable to continue is considered rude.

If you’re strong, you step back a little. If you’re weaker, you do your best. That’s the proper etiquette between swordsmen.

“That bastard just wanted to disgrace me and our clan—!”

“Enough! Do you still not understand what you did wrong? Return to your room and reflect on your behavior! You’re not to take a single step outside without my permission!”

“Father...!”

“Go!”

Namgoong Soryong clenched his sword in his hand, looking like he was about to burst into tears from frustration.

But Namgoong Cheonghae had no intention of letting him off easily—his stern gaze didn’t soften in the slightest.

“...Yes, sir.”

In the end, Soryong had no choice but to back down.

Namgoong Cheonghae watched his son’s slow, defeated steps as he left the training grounds, then turned back toward Yu Gang.

Yu Gang looked awkward and unsure of what to say.

“This was partially my fault, too. So...”

“Even so, insulting your instructor’s sect is not something to be overlooked. I intend to use this as a teaching moment. Please don’t concern yourself.”

“...Ugh.”

Yu Gang scratched the back of his head.

It had been far too long since he’d sparred with someone so much weaker than himself. It was hard to hold back.

“I’ll do better next time.”

“Just the fact that you’d be willing to spar again is more than enough.”

Namgoong Cheonghae responded to Yu Gang’s apology with a warm smile. But inside, he felt differently.

“Unpleasant.”

The young instructor from Mount Hua hadn’t even seen Soryong as a worthy opponent.

What parent could sincerely accept an apology for not holding back more?

“I expected Soryong to lose...”

That’s why he’d arranged a private sparring match instead of a public one. At the very least, his son’s pride needed some protection.

Still, he hadn’t expected this much of a gap.

Yu Gang was only a couple of years older, yet Soryong—who was praised within the Namgoong Clan for his talent—couldn’t even put up a fight.

“So Mount Hua really is Mount Hua.”

Which only made him all the more eager.

If word spread that the Namgoong Clan was forging ties with such a powerful sect, no other great families would dare to challenge them.

“I think it would be best to offer Mount Hua a formal apology. I’d like to pay my respects to the Plum Blossom Divine Sword.”

Yu Gang flailed in surprise and waved his hands.

“Ah, no! That’s really not necessary!”

“It is. A host has wronged a guest—it’s only proper that we apologize. This concerns the honor of the Namgoong Clan, so I ask for your understanding.”

“...Ugh.”

Yu Gang scratched the back of his head again.

If this reached his master’s ears, he’d definitely get scolded too.

“Young instructor.”

Yu Gang finally let out a long sigh and gave a nod.

“He’s probably in his room right now. I’ll take you to him.”

“Thank you.”

****

Seop Mugwang’s eyes flicked to the right.

Then to the left.

Then right again. Left. Right. Left. Right—left—right—left—

“Ah, come on! Could you sit still for one damn second?!”

Namgoong Cheongun, pacing back and forth in front of the Cave of Divine Insight, looked utterly miserable.

He walked up to Seop Mugwang like a dog that had been kicked out of its own house.

“How do you expect me to sit still when my daughter and father’s lives are on the line? It’s been three days! Why hasn’t there been any word?”

“Because getting word might be even worse.”

“...Ah.”

Right.

He’d been told it would take at least five days. If word came back after only three, it could only be bad news.

Realizing this, Cheongun exhaled and tried to calm himself.

Seop Mugwang raised an eyebrow at him.

“Why haven’t you gone back yet?”

Didn’t he just realize he showed up too early?

“Just in case, I’ll stay here.”

“Mount Hua sent guests. Wouldn’t it be better to go share another meal with them or something?”

“They won’t leave until they’ve met Seolhwa or Father. So it’ll be fine.”

“And what if this young instructor ends up getting close with them while you’re not around?”

“That would be a good thing.”

“...I’m not so sure about that.”

Namgoong Cheongun gave him a surprised look.

Seop Mugwang cleared his throat and turned his gaze away.

“I thought you didn’t care about clan affairs. You’ve said as much before.”

Back when he’d given Seolhwa his sword, Cheongun had asked him if he had any ulterior motive.

After all, giving Seolhwa his sword could’ve been interpreted as throwing his support behind Cheongun’s claim as heir.

But Seop Mugwang had replied,

“I just saw someone who seemed worthy of wielding my sword. That’s all.”

“...was how he answered.”

“Then why are you so interested?”

“...Well, I mean... I don’t care, but I can be curious, can’t I? What, am I not allowed to wonder about things now?”

“You’re more than allowed. I only asked because I was curious myself.”

“Hmph.”

Their conversation ended, and a long silence settled between them.

Eventually, Namgoong Cheongun broke the quiet, his voice heavy. It was an answer to Seop Mugwang’s earlier question.

“I’m... afraid.”

“Of what?”

“If I take the seat of Clan Head, I’ll gain power. But I’ll also gain enemies.”

“...”

“And what if I can’t protect my daughter from all of them? That’s what scares me. If it comes to that... I’d rather give up the position and live only for Seolhwa—”

That was when it happened.

Rumble rumble rumble...

The sound made both men turn their heads in alarm.

The gate of the Cave of Divine Insight was opening.

“...!”

Seop Mugwang’s expression sank.

Cheongun’s face, too, quickly drained of color.

They’d just discussed how the ritual required at least five days. For the gate to open on the third meant there was a high chance of bad news.

Both men stared at the door, tension carved into their faces.

Thud—

The massive door opened just wide enough for a single adult to pass through—and stopped.

Beyond it lay nothing but distant darkness.

And then, out of that darkness, a small figure stepped into view.

“...Seolhwa!”

Cheongun sprinted toward her.

He dropped to his knees in front of the girl and immediately began checking her condition.

He examined her face, her shoulders, arms, and legs.

“Are you alright? Why are you out so early? Did something go wrong? Weren’t we told it would take at least five days?”

Seolhwa blinked.

Something wrong?

She was about to answer that there was nothing wrong when Seop Mugwang suddenly approached, looking behind her as he asked urgently,

“Kid. Why are you out here alone? What about the Clan Head? Why isn’t he with you?”

“Yeah! What about your grandfather? Did something happen to him? Huh?”

Seolhwa pushed away Cheongun’s hands as he shook her shoulders and took a step back.

The tilt of her brows helped cool their panic slightly.

“Don’t worry. The Bone Cleansing and Marrow Washing was completed successfully.”

“Then why so soon...?”

“What about the Clan Head?”

“Grandfather used more internal energy than expected. He said he’ll be resting a few more days before coming out. Probably around five days from today.”

Her voice was calm as she explained, and only then did the two men let out sighs of relief.

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And only then did they truly see Seolhwa.

They felt the energy radiating from her.

Ordinarily, hiding one’s presence required an expert of the Peak realm or beyond, but Seolhwa had already learned how to restrain her energy in her past life.

But not now.

This time, she was letting it flow freely.

Seolhwa’s cultivation had reached the Peak Realm.

Both Namgoong Cheongun, also in the Peak Realm, and Seop Mugwang, who stood at the height of the Transcendent Realm, could feel that intense energy unmistakably.

“...Seolhwa, could it be...?”

“Kid, don’t tell me...”

Seop Mugwang stared at her in disbelief.

“Did you really reach the Peak Realm?”

Back when he’d first met her, Seolhwa’s cultivation had already been at the Peak level.

But Seop Mugwang had known that something about it was... off.

This time was different. A refined, powerful energy filled her dantian.

“You really... reached the Peak Realm?”

He asked again—but his eyes still held doubt.

Even as he saw it with his own eyes, he couldn’t believe it.

Seolhwa met that gaze and simply nodded.

“Yes.”

“...!”

“The Bone Cleansing and Marrow Washing succeeded.”